Magnetic drain plug holder

ABSTRACT

A drain plug holding device that includes a magnet and flexible line enclose in a heat shrinkable tube. The flexible line includes a swivel component and connecting component secured to the unencumbered end of the flexible line. A second magnet and flexible line enclosed in a heat shrinkable tube is connected to the first magnet and flexible line assembly via a connecting component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a magnetic drain plug holder for facilitating the removal of drain plugs from fluid holding tanks or sumps, and specifically for motorized vehicle drain plugs and the like.

2. Prior Art

Of continuing annoyance to mechanics and vehicle owners is the awkwardness and messiness of removing the drain plugs from engine oil pans or sumps in automobiles, trucks, boats, motorcycles or the like. When removing the plug, the mechanic often turns the plug by hand until the last few threads disengage and then must attempt to snatch the hot plug away from the on-rushing stream of hot oil. Too often, the plug slips and falls into the used oil catch pan and the mechanic must then grope through the dirty oil to retrieve the plug. In other instances the plug may become lost or mislaid, in effect disabling the vehicle and requiring that another plug be obtained and installed before adding new oil and stating the engine.

Various prior art devices have attempted to solve the, above problem, many of them incorporating complex machinery like long rods and offset turning arrangements such as those represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,686,749; 1,687,980; 3,049,334; 5,499,557; 5,908,086 and 6,655,498. Other devices, such as, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,806,396; 3,731,722; 4,145,939; 4,794,827; 4,862,776 and 5,199,331 have attempted to generally solve the problem of retaining a bolt in a complex tool such as a modified socket assembly or clamping device. Because of the confined workspace available under a vehicle and limited access to the drain plug, these devices are awkward or even impossible to use in many situations. Many also require adaptations for drain plugs of differing sizes making their use more cumbersome. The complex mechanisms are also expensive to produce, and undesirable for the purposes proposed herein.

The present invention includes two magnetic anchors that are tethered together with a flexible line. One magnetic anchor, the drain plug holder, is connected to the head of the drain plug and the other magnetic anchor, the anchor member, is connected to any other component of the vehicle such as an engine component, a frame member or the like to prevent dropping and or misplacing of the drain plug. Instead of using complex mechanisms to remove the drain plug, the mechanic first loosens the drain plug with a standard socket. The drain plug can then be removed by hand while the drain plug holder grasps the head of the bolt. Once the drain plug disengages from the threads of the receiving port, the drain plug holder will prevent the drain plug from falling into the used oil container. Thus, the desired effect of removing the drain plug without dropping it into the used oil catch pan is accomplished without the need of complex manufactured components.

Objects and Advantages

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide a drain plug holder adapted to securely yet detachably retain a drain plug; to provide an anchor member designed to be securely yet detachably connected to an engine component, a frame member or the like; to provide a flexible and adjustable line connecting the drain plug holder with the anchor member; to provide a means whereby the magnets are secured to the flexible line; to provide a means whereby the drain plug holder can be rotated without twisting and binding the flexible line and to provide such a magnetic drain plug holder assembly which is inexpensive to produce, reliable and efficient in use and particularly well adapted for the intended purpose.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a magnetic drain plug holder comprised of a drain plug holder and anchor member assemblies. The drain plug holder and anchor member are comprised of magnets secured to flexible lines via heat shrinkable tubes. A swivel means is incorporated into the flexible line of the drain plug holder to prevent twisting and binding of the flexible line. A connection means is used to connect the flexible lines of the drain plug holder and anchor member.

DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the drain plug holder components.

FIG. 2 is a view of the drain plug holder after heat has been applied to the heat shrinkable tube to secure the magnet and flexible line.

FIG. 3 is a view of the anchor member after heat has been applied to the heat shrinkable tube to secure the magnet and flexible line.

FIG. 4 is a view of the drain plug holder connected to the anchor member.

FIG. 5 is a view of the invention in use.

FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of the invention using molded caps to retain the magnets.

FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the invention using magnets with cylindrical holes filled with epoxy resin to secure the flexible lines to the magnets.

FIG. 8 is an alternate embodiment of the invention whereby the anchor member has been removed and replaced with a loop means.

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the invention whereby the anchor member has been removed and replaced with a loop means.

FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment of the invention whereby the anchor member has been removed and replaced with a loop means.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 a drain plug holder magnet -   10 b anchor member magnet -   12 heat shrinkable tube before heat is applied -   12 a heat shrinkable tube for drain plug holder after heat has been     applied -   12 b heat shrinkable tube for anchor member after heat has been     applied -   14 a flexible line for the drain plug holder magnet -   14 b flexible line for the anchor member magnet -   16 connector -   18 swivel means -   30 a drain plug holder assembly -   30 b anchor member assembly -   32 drain plug bolt head -   34 oil pan -   40 a molded cup -   40 b molded cup -   42 a split ring connector -   42 b split ring connector -   50 a magnet -   50 b magnet -   52 a epoxy resin -   52 b epoxy resin -   60 coupling connector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1-4

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. A magnet 10 a is inserted inside one end of a heat shrinkable tube 12 and a flexible line 14 a is inserted in the other end of the heat shrinkable tube so that its end is adjacent to the magnet 10 a. Upon the application of heat to the heat shrinkable tube 12, the tube will shrink and bind itself to the magnet 10 a and the flexible line 14 a, thus, forming a bond between the magnet and flexible line. The heat shrinkable tube after heat is applied, 12 a, is shown in FIG. 2. In this manner, both the drain plug holder of FIG. 2 and anchor member of FIG. 3 are assembled. A swivel means can either be incorporated within the flexible line 14a or the flexible line can be self-swiveling 18. The swivel means prevents the flexible line from twisting and binding as the magnet 10 a and heat shrinkable tube 12 a are rotated together as a single unit. A connector 16 is used to connect the drain plug holder's flexible line 14a with the anchor member's flexible line 14 b. FIG. 4 is a view of the invention whereby the drain plug holder and anchor member assemblies are connected together via the connector 16. Examples of suitable flexible lines include ball-chain line, which is commonly used in key chains and as overhead light pull-switch lines. Ball-chain line is self-swiveling 18 and does not require a separate swivel means attached to the flexible line to avoid twisting and binding of the flexible line when the magnet 10 a and heat shrinkable tube 12a are rotated together as a single unit. The length of the ball-chain line can be adjusted by either cutting off any unneeded portion of the ball-chain line or adding additional segments of ball-chain line using connectors 16 as shown.

Operation—FIG. 5

The magnetic drain plug holder is operated as shown in FIG. 5. The drain plug is first loosened so that is can be turned by hand. The anchor member assembly 30 b is attached to a steel component of the engine, oil pan, frame member or the like. The drain plug holder 30 a is attached to the head of the drain plug bolt 32. The drain plug bolt is loosened by hand until the last threads disengage from the receiving port. The drain plug is then allowed to swing away from the receiving port as oil pours out of the receiving port. The drain plug holder 30 a keeps the drain plug from falling into the used oil catch pan. The drain plug can then be detached from the drain plug holder 30 a cleaned and threaded back into the receiving port.

Additional Embodiments—FIGS. 6-8

Additional embodiments are shown in FIGS. 6-8. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate different means whereby the magnets are connected to the flexible lines 14 a and 14 b. In FIG. 6, the magnets 10 a and 10 b are secured within molded cups 40 a and 40 b. Each molded cup, 40 a and 40 b, have protrusions on the top for securing split rings 42 a and 42 b that are secured to the flexible lines 14 a and 14 b. The magnets 10 a and 10 b can be secured within the molded cups 40 a and 40 b by any suitable means, such as, epoxy resin or the molded cups 40 a and 40 b may have molded protrusions on the inner circular edge that extend over the magnets to hold the magnets securely within the molded cups 40 a and 40 b.

In FIG. 7 the magnets 50 a and 50 b have cavities extending axially through the magnets. The flexible lines 14 a and 14 b are secured within the cavities by any suitable means, such as, epoxy resin that binds to the walls of the magnets and the flexible lines 14 a and 14 b.

In FIG. 8 the anchor member has been removed from the magnetic drain plug holder. A coupling means 60 allows the unencumbered end of flexible line 14 a to be connected back onto itself to form a loop. The loop can be fastened around an engine component, a frame member or the like to keep the drain plug from falling into the oil catch pan upon removal.

In FIG. 8 the loop is shown attached to the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 4, however, it may also be incorporated into the alternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as well. These aforementioned additional embodiments are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. 

I claim:
 1. A magnetic anchor device comprising: (a) A magnet secured within a heat shrinkable tube element. (b) A flexible line secured within said heat shrinkable tube element with said flexible line extending outward from said heat shrinkable tube element.
 2. The device of claim 1 further incorporating a swivel means whereby said magnet and heat shrinkable tube of claim 1(a) can be rotated axially without twisting and binding said flexible line of claim 1(b) when the unencumbered end of said flexible line is held stationary.
 3. The device of claim 2 further including a connection means whereby a second flexible line can be connected to the unencumbered end of said flexible line of claim 1 (b).
 4. The device of claim 3 further including a second magnetic anchor device of claim 1 connected to said device of claim 3 via said connection means.
 5. The device of claim 1 further including a coupling means included in said flexible line of claim 1(b) whereby the unencumbered end of said flexible line can be connected to said coupling means to form a loop.
 6. A drain plug holder and anchor device comprising: (a) A magnet secured within a molded cup. (b) A flexible line connected to said molded cup. (c) A second molded cup attached to the unencumbered end of said flexible line of claim 6(b). (d) A magnet secured within said molded cup of claim 6(c).
 7. The device of claim 6 further incorporating a swivel means whereby said molded cup of claim 6(a) can be rotated axially without twisting and binding said flexible line of claim 6(b).
 8. The device of claim 6 further including a connection means whereby the length of said flexible line of claim 6(b) can adjusted by cutting off a portion of said flexible line of claim 6(b) and reattaching the cut ends via said connection means.
 9. A drain plug holder and comprising: (a) A magnet secured within a molded cup. (b) A flexible line connected to said molded cup. (c) A coupling means included in said flexible line whereby the unencumbered end of said flexible line can be connected to said coupling means to form a loop.
 10. The device of claim 9 further incorporating a swivel means whereby said molded cup of claim 9(a) can be rotated axially without twisting and binding said flexible line of claim 9(b).
 11. A magnetic anchor device comprising: (a) A magnet having a cavity extending axially through said magnet. (b) A flexible line secured within said cavity by a glue means with said flexible line extending outward from said cavity.
 12. The device of claim 11 further incorporating a swivel means whereby said magnet of claim 11(a) can be rotated axially without twisting and binding said flexible line of claim 11(b) when the unencumbered end of said flexible line of claim 11(b) is held stationary.
 13. The device of claim 12 further including a connection means whereby a second flexible line can be connected to the unencumbered end of said flexible line of claim 11(b).
 14. The device of claim 13 further including a second magnetic anchor device of claim 11 connected to said device of claim 13 via said connection means.
 15. The device of claim 11 further including a coupling means included in said flexible line of claim 11(b) whereby the unencumbered end of said flexible line can be connected to said coupling means to form a loop. 